4.2. Limitations:
There was a potential for recall bias as some staff had tested positive
up to 5 weeks prior to interview. Unfortunately, our sample size was
limited due to many patients being unable to give informed consent owing
to dementia, delirium or being critically unwell. Despite a small sample
size, the preliminary data was large enough to conduct basic statistical
analysis to advise an early change in local policy. Symptoms of OTDs
were self-reported, and no objective testing was carried out to confirm
or quantify these. Due to the sample size and cardinal symptoms needed
for participants to have been tested, symptom associations although
statistically significant need to be interpreted with caution.